Asian markets settled mixed on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged as widely expected. While, the Fed signaled the possibility of two rate cuts by the end of the year. The Federal Reserve lowered its economic outlook for the year, marked up its inflation expectations and said it will start shrinking its balance sheet at a slower pace starting next month amid growing woes around tariffs. Chinese and Hong Kong shares declined as the People's Bank of China kept the 1-year loan prime rate at 3.1% and the 5-year LPR at 3.6%, despite economic concerns. Japanese markets were closed for Vernal Equinox holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,408.95 | -17.48 | -0.51 |
Hang Seng | 24,219.95 | -551.19 | -2.28 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,381.67 | 70.01 | 1.10 |
KLSE Composite | 1,504.16 | -13.50 | -0.89 |
Nikkei 225 | -- | -- | -- |
Straits Times | 3,930.49 | 22.18 | 0.56 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,637.10 | 8.48 | 0.32 |
Taiwan Weighted | 22,377.26 | 416.43 | 1.86 |
